With fans’ excitement for the 2016 season of college football continuing to grow, several schools are eager to hit the field for their first simulated game action of the year.
This Saturday, Temple will pit its offense against one the nation’s top defensive units from last year in the school’s annual Cherry and White Game.
Following a whirlwind 2015 season that culminated in 10 wins and a berth in the inaugural AAC Championship Game, there will be several things to keep an eye on this weekend.
New team leadership must be identified
As mentioned in my column last week, Temple’s main task heading into the 2016 season is to recognize new on-field leadership following the loss of 2015 team captains Tyler Matakevich, Matt Ioannidis and Kyle Friend.
Quarterback P.J. Walker, who has quickly established himself as one of the most prolific passers in program history, should be a frontrunner while running back Jahad Thomas could also garner consideration.
In addition, look for guys like linebacker Jarred Alwan, offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and defensive back Sean Chandler to make some noise as they try to make a case for themselves.
Offensive line has to gel
With another solid season expected of Walker in 2016, the play of his offensive line is integral, especially with the loss of Friend.
Strong play up front enabled Walker to throw a career-low eight interceptions last year, which helped limit the opportunities opposing offenses had to capitalize.
Dawkins will help anchor the line, but any time a team sees turnover along the front, success is anything but a given.
Defense can’t take a step back
With Matakevich, Ioannidis and cornerback Tavon Young most likely on their way to the NFL, the Owls daunting defense could conceivably take a step back this season.
Defensive linemen Avery Ellis, Sharif Finch and Hasson Reddick should help plug up the frontlines while Alwan and fellow linebacker Stephaun Marshall will look to curb the production lost after the departure of Matakevich.
Chandler, who recorded 44 solo tackles and four interceptions last year, could be the biggest factor and should be monitored closely.
Promising youngsters will aim to prove they belong
The team has continued to add and develop young talent to its already impressive roster. In addition to the players who redshirted last year and are ready to contribute, Temple has brought in a host of solid recruits.
One of the most impressive perhaps, defensive end Karamo Dioubate, was a four-star recruit from Philadelphia who backed out of a verbal commitment to Penn State to join the Owls.
While Dioubate may be raw and will most likely not see much (if any) action this season, it will be interesting to see if and how he performs on Saturday.
Team needs to show last year was no fluke
Temple tied its season win total record last season with 10 and showed that its time as a doormat for other programs was over. The Owls beat in-state rival Penn State for the first time in 74 years and advanced all the way to the AAC Championship Game, where they lost to the Houston Cougars.
Temple now expects to play well and win bowl games. If the team is able to execute on offense and play sound defense this weekend, it will go a long way toward proving to any lingering doubters that the Owls are for real.
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